I have a 1981 GB42 Europa.I have decided to renew the flybridge teak.As you will see from the photos the mast forestay chainplate and the mast base were installed on top of the teak.I assume, from this, that the teak is original and was laid in the factory.I would like to remove the teak from under the mast base and the chainplate and replace it.I don't want to remove the head liner, so I am concerned that if I remove the bolts holding the mast base and chainplate I will dislodge whatever the bolts screw into.The bolts are metal thread so I assume they either have nuts or a threaded plate behind and not just a thread cut into the fibreglass deck.Does anyone know what these bolts are screwed into and if I can easily remove and replace them.

CheersParry

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Chesapeake wrote:> There is usually a threaded backing plate that is secured with screws to> hold it in place when the mounting bolts are removed from above.

Thank you Chesapeake.When you say "usually" do you mean usually on GB or usually on boats?Have you seen GBs where this was how it was done and have you seen GBs where this was not how it was done?I am sorry to be pedantic, but if I remove the bolts and the backing plate is not fixed then I have to remove the head lining.

PerryTry this. Pull a bolt or two. Not all of them. In place of one or 2 of the bolts that you removed screw in a stud or like bolt with the head removed. Then remove the rest of the bolts and install studs. Then remove the fitting by sliding up over the studs. The studs will keep the plate in place in the event that it was not previously secured in place.

I've seen three GB 36' with the plates secured, two where the headliners were removed. There may be other GB's out there with a different set up, but in any case it seems to make sense that the hidden part would be secured to avoid having fasteners fall. Plus, an unsecured nut could easily just spin making it impossible to remove the bolt.

I used a similar method as described by Charlie O. Loosen all the bolts and put some no impact downward pressure on the heads. If they don't move down, the plate underneath is secure. If they do, then put a couple studs in, lift the hardware enough to get some vise grips on the stud under the hardware, remove the bolts and lift away.

An update.I have removed the chainplate and I like the flybridge so much without it that I am going to run a two forestay arrangement.I will run the stays from the masthead instead of from under the spreaders.I will install new chainplates each side right out on the edge of the Europa roof.If I do this the stays will be out of the way and not restrict the flybridge deck space.I will post some photos when it is done.

Well, after all the fear and trepidation the flybridge teak deck replacement has gone very well.The deck was in great condition, so preparation was relatively easy, just time consuming.We are about to do the final sand and clean-up and the result looks fantastic.I will install the new mast forestays later this week.I love the deck without the forestay in the middle of it.

CheersParry

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